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SFA to stage comedic opera, 'The Bartered Bride'
Sylvia Bierschenk - April 1, 2008
Ella Haag, Houston junior and theatre major at Stephen F. Austin State University, puts the finishing touches on the clown costume to be used in the upcoming production of Bedrich Smetana's comedic opera, "The Bartered Bride," Thursday, April 10, through Saturday, April 12. The curtain will rise each evening at 7:30 p.m. in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.
NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts, School of Music and School of Theatre will present Bedrich Smetana's opera "The Bartered Bride" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, through Saturday, April 12, in W.M. Turner Auditorium, located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building.
Set at festival time in a Bohemian village, the comedic plot revolves around a young peasant girl, Marenka, who is in love with Jenik but whose father makes arrangements for her to marry a wealthy landowner's son she's never met, explained Dr. Deborah Dalton, the opera's director.
"The convoluted story line is full of mistaken identities, a long, lost family member and a surprise ending. There's even a circus, beer drinking songs and lots of polkas," Dalton continued. "Premiered in 1866, it is very Czech in flavor and is regarded as the Czech national opera. We will be presenting the English version by Donald Pippin."
The musical roles are filled by approximately 40 vocal students, with most of the principal roles double cast to maximize the performance opportunities for the students.
For the Thursday and Saturday performances, Tiffany Hamilton, Longview senior, will portray Marenka; Seguin senior Adam Zuniga will portray her love interest, Jenik, and Lewisville senior John Green will portray Vasek, the man to whom she is betrothed. Christian Teague, Richland Hills sophomore, is cast as the marriage broker, Kecal.
On Friday night, Sulphur Springs senior Monica Lancaster will portray Marenka, Waco junior Garry Leonberger is cast as Jenik, and Alief senior Geoffrey Daenen as Vasek. Waco junior Patrick Wright will portray Kecal.
The production will be conducted by Gene H. Moon, director of orchestral studies at SFA, and will feature the SFA Chamber Orchestra. SFA theatre faculty and students are designing and/or providing the sets, lights and costumes. The production also involves dancers from across campus and some community members.
The opera is part of the SFA College of Fine Arts' University Series and is sponsored in part by Cataract, Glaucoma & Retina Consultants of East Texas.
Prior to the April 10 performance, the Dalton will give an informative talk at 7 p.m. in Griffith Gallery, directly across the hall from Turner Auditorium. The audience is invited back to the gallery after the performance for a reception honoring the event's corporate sponsor and an opportunity to meet the cast.
The Griffith Fine Arts Building is located at 2222 Alumni Drive on the SFA campus.
Tickets are $18 for adults, $12 for seniors and $6 for students. For tickets or more information, please visit www.sfasu.edu/finearts or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.